Parents Of Missing Virginia Man, Ian Burnet, Fear The Worst

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The parents of a 22-year-old Virginia man who was last seen in New York City last month have set up a website to help get their son back.

Ian Burnet, of Richmond, Va., was last seen on Dec. 30 at an apartment on 139th Street and Riverside Drive where he had been staying with friends since Dec. 26.

Mark Burnet told 1010 WINS his son last contacted him on Dec. 27 after he had visited Central Park. Ian’s last known contact was with his roommate on Dec. 30 around 4 p.m. shortly before his disappearance.

“We knew that he was around and doing something through that date but after the 30th we lost all contact with him,” Burnet said.

Ian left his cell phone behind so his parents and friends have no way to get in touch with him.

Burnet said Ian is believed to have had his driver’s license and credit card with him when he went missing. No credit card purchases have been made.

The Burnet family said they are sick with worry and fearing the worst.

“He knows how to take care of himself but we’re just really concerned why he hasn’t contacted us, that’s not in his character,” Burnet said.

Hundreds of volunteers have been posting flyers across New York City, Richmond and New Kent County, Va.

A Facebook page, which so far has garnered about 1,500 members and a website have been set up to help in the search.

Burnet is an engineering student on full scholarship at Virginia Commonweath University. He was the valedictorian at his high school and is an Eagle Scout.

His parents said Ian comes from a warm and loving home and has no history of problems with drugs or alcohol.

He is 5-feet-10-inches, 160 pounds, with green eyes and curly dark brown hair.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the NYPD at the 30th Precinct at 212-690-8842.